Psalms 80:19

KJV

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Turn us again {H7725}{H8685)}, O LORD {H3068} God {H430} of hosts {H6635}, cause thy face {H6440} to shine {H215}{H8685)}; and we shall be saved {H3467}{H8735)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI, God of armies, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

American Standard Version

Turn us again, O Jehovah God of hosts; Cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:19 serves as the climactic and most fervent plea within a national lament, articulating Israel's desperate cry for profound divine intervention and comprehensive restoration. From a people facing severe hardship and spiritual decline, the psalmist appeals to God, the supreme ruler of all creation, for renewed favor and deliverance from their dire circumstances. This verse encapsulates an urgent yearning for God's manifest presence and blessing, expressing the foundational belief that only through His radiant countenance can true salvation, holistic well-being, and spiritual flourishing be fully realized.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 is structured as a communal lament, a heartfelt prayer of a nation in distress, likely grappling with military defeat, exile, or profound national suffering. Its powerful structure is defined by a recurring refrain that intensifies with each repetition: "Turn us again, O God; cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved" (cf. [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The First Refrain") and [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - The Second Refrain")). The psalm opens with an evocative appeal to the "Shepherd of Israel" ([Psalms 80:1](/psalms/80-1 "Psalm 80:1 - Shepherd of Israel")), recalling God's faithful care in the past. A significant portion of the psalm (verses 8-16) employs the vivid **metaphor** of Israel as a vine, brought out of Egypt and carefully planted, but now ravaged and broken, a poignant depiction of their current desolation. Verse 19, the final iteration, escalates the address to "O LORD God of hosts," underscoring the ultimate and absolute authority to whom this desperate and comprehensive plea is directed.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical backdrop for Psalm 80 remains a subject of scholarly debate, it unequivocally reflects a period of profound national suffering, possibly the devastating Assyrian or Babylonian invasions, or a significant military defeat that brought the nation to its knees. In ancient Israel, such calamities were frequently interpreted as divine judgment, a consequence of covenant unfaithfulness. The majestic title "LORD God of hosts" (Hebrew: *Yahweh Elohim Sabaoth*) carries immense significance. "Hosts" (*Sabaoth*) refers to heavenly armies, celestial bodies, or all creation, emphasizing God's supreme power and sovereignty over all forces, both spiritual and earthly. This title would have been invoked particularly in times of war or national crisis, appealing to God as the ultimate divine warrior and commander. The concept of God's "face shining" upon someone was a deeply rooted cultural expression of divine favor, blessing, and protection, akin to a benevolent king bestowing grace upon his subjects. This imagery finds its most famous expression in the priestly blessing of [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"), signifying life, peace, and prosperity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several core themes prevalent throughout Psalm 80 and the broader Old Testament narrative. The primary theme is **Divine Restoration and Repentance**, conveyed by the Hebrew verb *shûwb* ("turn us again"). This word carries a rich dual meaning: God's sovereign act of restoring His people to their former state of blessing and the people's reciprocal need to "turn back" or repent towards God. It highlights the dynamic interplay between divine initiative and human response in the process of spiritual renewal. Another crucial theme is **God's Sovereign Power**, profoundly emphasized by the majestic title "O LORD God of hosts." This appellation reminds the petitioners that they are appealing to the absolute ruler of the cosmos, capable of orchestrating any deliverance and reversing any misfortune. Finally, the theme of **The Blessing of God's Presence and Favor** is central to "cause thy face to shine." This imagery signifies God's active approval, protection, and the outpouring of His grace, which is understood as the prerequisite for true "salvation"—a comprehensive term encompassing deliverance, well-being, and flourishing in every aspect of life. This echoes the profound desire for God's manifest presence seen throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 4:6](/psalms/4-6 "Psalm 4:6 - A Plea for God's Favor").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turn us again (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** (H7725) This imperative verb is derived from the primitive root *shûwb*, a highly significant theological term in the Old Testament, meaning "to turn," "to return," or "to repent." In this context, it functions as a desperate plea for God to reverse the nation's fortunes, to restore them to His favor and their former state of blessing. However, it inherently carries the implication of the people's need to "turn back" to God in repentance, acknowledging their part in their predicament and seeking spiritual realignment. It is a dynamic call for both divine intervention and human responsiveness.
* **LORD God of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh Elohim Tsâbâʼ'_):** (H3068, H430, H6635) This is a profound and powerful compound divine title. "LORD" (*Yᵉhôvâh*) refers to God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal, relational, and unchanging character. "God" (*Elohim*) signifies His general deity and power as Creator. "Hosts" (*Tsâbâʼ*) refers to armies, whether human or angelic, or even the celestial bodies. Thus, "LORD God of hosts" portrays God as the supreme commander of all heavenly and earthly forces, the sovereign ruler of the universe, and the ultimate warrior who can bring about deliverance and victory. It underscores His unparalleled might and authority, presenting Him as the only one capable of responding to such a desperate plea for salvation.
* **cause thy face to shine (Hebrew, _ʼôwr pânîym'_):** (H215, H6440) This is a beautiful and deeply significant anthropomorphic expression. "To shine" (*ʼôwr*) implies radiating light, favor, and presence. When God's "face" (*pânîym*) shines upon His people, it signifies His active approval, benevolent gaze, and manifest blessing. It indicates that God is not hidden or angry, but actively present, gracious, and favorable. This imagery is deeply rooted in the priestly blessing of [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing") and represents the source of life, joy, and well-being, dispelling darkness, distress, and judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts":** This opening clause is a fervent and direct appeal to God for a complete reversal of the nation's desperate situation. The imperative "Turn us again" expresses a deep longing for divine intervention to restore their fortunes, implying a state of spiritual or physical decline from which only God can rescue them. The address "O LORD God of hosts" elevates the plea, recognizing God's supreme power, absolute authority, and His ability to command all forces, making Him the ultimate and only source of their desired restoration.
* **"cause thy face to shine":** Following the plea for restoration, this clause specifies the means by which it is to be achieved: through God's active favor and manifest presence. It is a profound request for God to look upon His people with benevolence, to make His presence known in a way that brings light, blessing, and approval. This shining of His face is understood as the direct opposite of His hiddenness or anger, which would result in judgment or abandonment, and is the very essence of His life-giving grace.
* **"and we shall be saved":** This final clause presents the desired outcome and direct consequence of God's intervention and favor. "Saved" (*yâshaʻ*) is a comprehensive term in Hebrew, encompassing not just spiritual salvation from sin, but also physical deliverance from enemies, healing from sickness, protection from harm, prosperity, and overall well-being. It signifies a complete restoration to a state of flourishing and security, implying that true and holistic salvation is inextricably linked to God's active presence and benevolent blessing upon His people.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 80:19, as the climax of the psalm's refrain, employs several powerful literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as this verse is the third and most intensified iteration of the plea found earlier in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The First Refrain") and [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - The Second Refrain"). This repetition serves to emphasize the urgency, desperation, and central importance of the request for divine restoration. The escalating address from "O God" to "O God of hosts" to "O LORD God of hosts" demonstrates a powerful form of **Climax** or **Gradation**, building intensity and reverence in the appeal, culminating in the most comprehensive divine title. The phrase "cause thy face to shine" is a vivid example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (a face that shines) to God, making His divine favor and presence more relatable and tangible. This imagery also functions as **Symbolism**, where the shining face symbolizes divine blessing, grace, and life, while its absence implies judgment or abandonment. The entire verse, within the broader context of the psalm, is a profound **Lament**, a genre of prayer that expresses deep sorrow, distress, and a fervent plea for help, often accompanied by an appeal to God's character and His faithful actions in the past.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:19 stands as a powerful testament to the biblical understanding of salvation as inextricably linked to God's active presence and favor. It underscores the profound truth that human flourishing, deliverance from distress, and spiritual renewal are not achieved through human effort alone but are entirely dependent on God's sovereign initiative and benevolent disposition. The plea for God to "turn us again" highlights the biblical concept of *teshuvah* (repentance and return), recognizing that while God initiates restoration, it often involves a turning of His people back to Him in faith and obedience. The invocation of "LORD God of hosts" affirms God's absolute power and authority over all circumstances, reminding us that no situation is beyond His capacity to redeem and transform. Ultimately, the verse teaches that true "salvation" is a holistic experience of well-being that flows directly from the light of God's shining face—His grace, protection, and life-giving presence, which dispels the darkness of suffering and sin. This comprehensive salvation encompasses every dimension of human need, from spiritual reconciliation to physical deliverance and communal flourishing.

* [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing")
* [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - A Plea for Restoration")
* [Psalm 67:1](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1 - God's Blessing for All Nations")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:19 offers a timeless and profound model for prayer and spiritual posture in times of personal, communal, or national distress. It calls us to a deep recognition of our utter dependence on God's sovereign grace and power. When faced with overwhelming challenges, whether spiritual dryness, relational brokenness, societal turmoil, or personal suffering, this verse teaches us to direct our gaze upward, appealing to the "LORD God of hosts" with unwavering faith in His ability to intervene decisively. Our primary desire, like the psalmist's, should not merely be for the removal of hardship, but for the restoration of God's manifest presence and favor in our lives. To "cause thy face to shine" upon us means to seek His approval, His guidance, and His active blessing above all else, understanding that true "salvation"—a holistic sense of peace, purpose, and deliverance—flows directly from His radiant presence. This plea also implicitly calls us to profound self-examination and repentance, prompting us to ask if our own turning away from God has contributed to our predicament, and whether we are truly ready to "turn again" to Him in obedience, trust, and renewed devotion. It reminds us that our deepest need is not merely for circumstances to change, but for God Himself to be intimately present and actively gracious.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as "LORD God of hosts" impact your prayers during times of personal or national crisis, and what does it mean to truly rely on His ultimate authority?**
* **What does it mean practically to "seek God's face" in your daily life, and how does prioritizing His presence relate to experiencing His comprehensive "salvation"?**
* **In what areas of your life, or in the life of your community, do you most urgently need God to "turn us again" and bring about His restorative grace?**

### FAQ
**What does "LORD God of hosts" mean?**

Answer: The title "LORD God of hosts" (Hebrew: *Yahweh Elohim Sabaoth*) is one of the most majestic and powerful designations for God in the Old Testament. "LORD" (*Yahweh*) is God's covenant name, revealing His personal, relational, and unchanging nature. "God" (*Elohim*) is the general term for deity, emphasizing His power and creative authority. "Hosts" (*Sabaoth*) refers to armies or multitudes, encompassing both the celestial armies of angels and the stars of the heavens, or even all created things. Therefore, "LORD God of hosts" signifies God as the supreme commander of all heavenly and earthly forces, the sovereign ruler of the universe, and the ultimate divine warrior. Invoking this title, as in [Psalms 24:10](/psalms/24-10 "Psalm 24:10 - The King of Glory"), is an appeal to His absolute power, unparalleled might, and ultimate authority to intervene decisively in any situation.

**How is "cause thy face to shine" related to "salvation"?**

Answer: The phrase "cause thy face to shine" is a profound expression of seeking God's active favor, blessing, and manifest presence. In ancient Near Eastern thought, a king's shining face indicated his approval and benevolence, bringing life and prosperity to his subjects. Conversely, a hidden or angry face signified displeasure and potential judgment. When God's "face shines" upon His people, it means He is actively bestowing His grace, protection, and life-giving presence. This divine favor inherently brings about "salvation," which in the biblical sense (Hebrew: *yasha'*) is a comprehensive term encompassing not just spiritual deliverance from sin, but also physical healing, protection from enemies, prosperity, and overall well-being and flourishing. As seen in the priestly blessing of [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"), God's shining face is directly linked to His grace and peace, which are foundational to true and holistic salvation.

**Does "Turn us again" imply human repentance or divine action?**

Answer: The Hebrew verb *shûwb* ("turn us again") carries a rich dual meaning, encompassing both divine action and human response. On one hand, it is a desperate plea for God to "turn" or restore His people from their state of distress and judgment back to a state of favor and blessing. This emphasizes God's sovereign power to initiate restoration, a divine turning towards His people. On the other hand, the same verb is frequently used in the Old Testament to mean "to return" or "to repent" (e.g., [Jeremiah 24:7](/jeremiah/24-7 "Jeremiah 24:7 - A Heart to Know the Lord")). Thus, while the psalmist cries out for God's restorative hand, there is an implicit understanding that such divine turning often accompanies or calls for the people's own turning back to God in repentance, obedience, and renewed covenant faithfulness. It's a dynamic interplay where God's grace enables and invites human turning.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The desperate plea to "Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts" is answered definitively in Him, for Jesus is the one who truly turns humanity back to God. Through His atoning work on the cross, He reconciles a broken and alienated humanity to the Father, bridging the chasm of sin and death (cf. [2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Reconciling the World to Himself")). He embodies the very "LORD God of hosts," possessing all authority in heaven and on earth (cf. [Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), demonstrating divine power over sin, sickness, and death. Furthermore, Jesus is the radiant manifestation of God's glory, the one through whom God's "face shines" most brightly upon humanity. He is the "light of the world" ([John 8:12](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World")), the "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")), perfectly revealing the Father's benevolent countenance. It is through His life, death, and resurrection that the comprehensive "salvation" longed for by the psalmist is fully realized. In Christ alone, we are truly saved—delivered from sin's dominion, reconciled to God, and granted eternal life (cf. [Acts 4:12](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in No Other Name")). He is the ultimate answer to Israel's cry for restoration and the source of everlasting divine favor and flourishing.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 3:22

Return, ye backsliding children, [and] I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou [art] the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 3:23

Truly in vain [is salvation hoped for] from the hills, [and from] the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God [is] the salvation of Israel.

Psalms 31:16

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies' sake.

Psalms 80:3

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalms 80:1

¶ To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest [between] the cherubims, shine forth.

Psalms 27:4

One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 44:3

For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them.